BMW 3 series SE suspension

[Rolstone]

I am just trading in my 2005 330d E91 Touring for an xDrive 330d F31Touring. When I purchased the E91, i deliberately went for the SE rather than the sports suspension because I preferred the softer ride. I have ordered the standard suspension on the E31 i.e. without the M Sport Adaptive Suspension. Frankly, I am not out to corner at massive speeds because I almost always have a dog in the back. Is there any one out there who is driving an F31 on the standard suspension who can compare it against the handling and comfort of the E91? I have been very happy with the handling/comfort compromise on my E91 but I want to know that the standard suspension on the F31 is as good.

I have only been able to test the 330d with the M Sport suspension but without the adaptive suspension. FYI, the BMW garage, which has been prepared to sell me a long list of options, has been adamant that I do not need the adaptive suspension for my type of driving. They have only sold the adaptive suspension with the M Sport suspension to give the option of a softer ride. My concern is that i have yet to read a road test on any F31 without the adaptive suspension.

Thanks
Rolstone

Edited by Rolstone on Saturday 16th February 10:02

Edited by Rolstone on Saturday 16th February 10:09

[Output Flange]

I can't answer your question, but for clarity you mean F31 rather than E31 - an E31 is an old 8 series.

[Rolstone]

Thanks Output Flange, you are quite right. I have amended my original post.

Rolstone

Edited by Rolstone on Saturday 16th February 10:06

[CraigyMc]

Rolstone said:

Thanks Output Flange, you are quite right.

Rolstone

I've testdriven an F30 320d on standard suspension, and it's slightly more comfy than the E90 on the same standard suspension.
Caveat: both cars were the EfficientDynamics model, which means 16" wheels and no runflat tyres.

I suspect tyre type (RFT/nonRFT) and wheel size will have a big effect on ride quality, so make that part of your question.

Bigger wheels = smaller sidewalls = harsher ride.

Run Flat Tyres = stiffer sidewalls = harsher ride (although the newer ones are getting better, they still don't compare well against non-RFTs in my opinion)

C

[rallycross]

Is the 330d available to buy before the deal is completed ie rather than trade it in will send you a message.

[LeoSayer]

CraigyMc said:

I've testdriven an F30 320d on standard suspension, and it's slightly more comfy than the E90 on the same standard suspension.
Caveat: both cars were the EfficientDynamics model, which means 16" wheels and no runflat tyres.

I suspect tyre type (RFT/nonRFT) and wheel size will have a big effect on ride quality, so make that part of your question.

Bigger wheels = smaller sidewalls = harsher ride.

Run Flat Tyres = stiffer sidewalls = harsher ride (although the newer ones are getting better, they still don't compare well against non-RFTs in my opinion)

C

Don't forget...

Bigger wheels = heavier wheels = harsher ride

Run flats = heavier tyres - harsher ride

[Rolstone]

Thanks LeoSayer and CraigyMc. Points firmly noted. Has no one else on Gassing Station got any pointers for me?

TIA
Rolstone

[davepoth]

Rolstone said:

Thanks LeoSayer and CraigyMc. Points firmly noted. Has no one else on Gassing Station got any pointers for me?

TIA
Rolstone

If you want a nice ride, go for the ED model with the small wheels. And if BMW themselves are not trying to upsell to the more expensive suspension, I think you have your answer. Since I assume we're talking about a 30-40k spend on a new BMW, it would probably be worth travelling to another dealer to try the suspension out - your dealer could probably locate one for you.

[CraigyMc]

davepoth said:

Rolstone said:

Thanks LeoSayer and CraigyMc. Points firmly noted. Has no one else on Gassing Station got any pointers for me?

TIA
Rolstone

If you want a nice ride, go for the ED model with the small wheels. And if BMW themselves are not trying to upsell to the more expensive suspension, I think you have your answer. Since I assume we're talking about a 30-40k spend on a new BMW, it would probably be worth travelling to another dealer to try the suspension out - your dealer could probably locate one for you.

If you want to try a 320d ED, and can be bothered to drive to Hampshire, you can try my E90.

C

[CraigyMc]

One thing I forgot to mention, which I think you ought to know - is that the ED cars are physically lower than the SE spec.

The suspension is just as soft, but the ED is lowered to lower the drag on the car - part of the way the car gets better fuel economy.

This doesn't make a huge difference but you will likely have to get used to occasionally scuffing the front valance (under the front bumper) in multi-story car parks and on certain speed bumps.
The ride height of the E90 320d ED is about 10mm lower than the SE version. (iirc the E90 ED has a ride height of 127mm)

The F30 version has the same 10mm drop from the SE version, but the F30 is 3mm lower than the E90 across the board anyway, meaning a ride height of 124mm for the F30 ED.
The approach and departure angles are unlikely to be worse because the F30 has a longer wheelbase (the wheels are closer to the corners of the car).

The numbers in this post are my best recollection. I'm trying to get sources for them - the BMW website is crap.

Edited to Add:
Carfolio suggests the drop in ride height is 15mm, not the 10mm I thought.
Carfolio suggests the drop in ride height on the E90 is 144mm to 129mm, 320d SE to 320d ED.
Carfolio suggests the drop in ride height on the F30 is 140mm to 125mm, 320d SE to 320d ED.

By way of comparison, my old S1 Lotus Elise had a factory ride height of 125mm (front).

C

Edited by CraigyMc on Saturday 16th February 10:48